What started out as a voter identification bill will be weakened to a study if a measure that's advancing through the Maine Legislature is enacted.The Senate on Tuesday voted to go along with the House and approve the amended bill.In its original form, the bill would have required voters to provide picture IDs in order to cast ballots. It was carried over from last year, when it was narrowly defeated following a partisan debate.This year, the bill was weakened in committee to call for a study by state election officials into voter participation and registration issues.Civil libertarians applauded Tuesday's final action, saying the Legislature rejected an attempt to make it harder for Mainers to vote.The amended voter ID bill faces final House and Senate votes.

AUGUSTA, Maine —

What started out as a voter identification bill will be weakened to a study if a measure that's advancing through the Maine Legislature is enacted.

The Senate on Tuesday voted to go along with the House and approve the amended bill.

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In its original form, the bill would have required voters to provide picture IDs in order to cast ballots. It was carried over from last year, when it was narrowly defeated following a partisan debate.

This year, the bill was weakened in committee to call for a study by state election officials into voter participation and registration issues.

Civil libertarians applauded Tuesday's final action, saying the Legislature rejected an attempt to make it harder for Mainers to vote.